Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The method by which the school has communicated with parents and how the system has been implemented has concerned one parent enough, after gaining some information via a Freedom of Information request, to set up a Facebook page detailing how the system is being introduced in the school with children and about biometric systems in schools in general.

The forthcoming legislation, coming into force this September 2013, it seems, is providing a good and long needed neccessary platform to enable parents and the public to ensure schools act responsibly when using such biometric systems that process children's biometric data.

Current news from parents concerning biometric systems in schools are listed the social media links on this topic, on this page's right hand menu bar.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

USA - Maryland Schools stopped the implementation of biometric palm scanners for cashless catering in December 2012 after privacy concerns were aired by parents.

After a Board of Education meeting, Carroll County Public Schools Superintendent Steve Guthrie told WBAL“I made the decision to suspend it after concerns were being expressed by the community. There was division on those who were for the palm scanner and those who were against it. It is not my intent to alienate any segment of our community. It is my job to unify the community, not to create divisions.” A respectful and fairly unique stance taken by the school district with regards to the implementation of biometric systems. They are looking into an alternative system.

Public Schools – Collection of Biometric Information from Students – Prohibited

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a county board or a person subject to the direction and control of the county board from collecting biometric information from students enrolled in a public school; defining a certain term; and generally relating to the collection of biometric information from students enrolled in public schools.

The scanners in Maryland were supplied by PalmSecure, a Fujitsu property. The above Bill is probably not the desired effect Fujitsu envisioned when they first trialed the infra-red vein scanning technology on primary school children in Scotland in 2006. The desired effect was articulated by Mike Nelson's the General Manager of Fujitsu Europe in 2006, who said at the time:

"Biometric solutions will increasingly allow us to move towards a cashless
society and this project is one of the first real examples in the UK of an
innovative and truly practical biometric solution in operation. I fully expect
this to be the first of many similar implementations across Europe"

(The original link to the news article quoting Mike Nelson on Fujitsu's site has been removed (it was 7 years ago) but his comments are also reported here.)

Thankfully Fujitsu's vision of a cashless society, aided by infra-red palm scans, has not yet materialised and the existence of this Bill proves society's reluctance to use such technologies.

Is there a coincidence that these technologies are being aimed at the next generation in schools to get them young? ...to prepare for technology companies, and possibly a government's, dream of a cashless society?

Children embrace technology without the mature questioning that an adult mind brings, in this case the parents have intervened and a Senator introduced a Bill on the use of biometric technology in schools with children. Whether the Bill becomes enacted or not, a public debate will be had on the topic, which has to be a positive and healthly process for our society.

Monday, March 04, 2013

Back in 2011 it was reported in Odd Gadgets that devices could read fingerprints from 6 feet (2 metres) away. No more placing a finger on a scanner, reducing the risk of sharing harmful bugs and bacteria no doubt.

Vital questions for schools

Quotations:

"People have to be stark, raving mad to use conventional biometrics to improve the efficiancy of a children's lunch line"From Kim Cameron's weblog, the Architect of Identity and Access in the Connected Systems Division at Microsoft.

"If a child has never touched a fingerprint scanner, there is zero probability of being incorrectly investigated for a crime. Once a child has touched a scanner they will be at the mercy of the matching algorithm for the rest of their lives."Brian Drury, IT security consultant.

One head teacher's reason to install a biometric system in his school :"... the system was preparing pupils for a world in which terrorism was rife, and their privacy would be further invaded"From the York Press January 2007.

"Biometric solutions will increasingly allow us to move towards a cashless society and this project is one of the first real examples in the UK of an innovative and truly practical biometric solution in operation"Mike Nelson, General Manager of Fujitsu - supplier of the 'vein scanning' technology in a Scottish primary school.

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UPDATE July 2015: This Petition against facial recognition in San Diago schools was was successful!

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Interview

Pippa talks about biometrics ad RFID in education - May 2015

Interview

Interview with Pippa King in the second hour to look at the Britain’s new national facial recognition roll-out - Feb 2015

Biometrics and RFID

Interview with Pippa King by Patrick Henningsen on 21st Century Wire - March 2014

Interview

Interview with Pippa King by Tony Gosling from BCFM - August 2013

Interview

Katherine Albrecht show - July 2013. Katherine and Pippa King discuss the victories in removing or preventing biometric and other tracking systems from being used on our children.

Biometrics Institute

The Biometrics Institute offer advice regarding the use of biometric technology in schools. Check their Membership List to see if the company handling your child's biometric data is upholding good practice industry standards. ''The mission of the Biometrics Institute is to promote the responsible use of biometrics as an independent and impartial international forum for biometric users and other interested parties.'

Article - Biometrics and RFID Tracking in UK Education

Documenting the rise of biometric and RFID technology used in education - August 2013

Book - Surveillance Schools

With the growth of surveillance technologies globally, Dr Emmeline Taylor focuses on the phenomenon of the Surveillance School and explores the impact that continual monitoring is having upon school children, education and society.